Bioengineering

Francisco Contijoch, PhD (Faculty Profile, Lab Website)

Dr. Contijoch’s primary research interests are translational imaging techniques to better diagnose, monitor, and understand cardiac dysfunction and vascular disease. The student intern will help develop and apply novel magnetic resonance (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and echocardiography imaging techniques to better visualize function of the cardiovascular system. These techniques help to understand normal physiology, the processes which change during disease, and the response to treatments in the right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary vascular disease.

Adam Engler, PhD (Faculty Profile, Lab Website)

The Engler lab studies the mechanobiology of stem cells, progenitor cells, and their progeny as well as cancer cells using methods of tissue engineering, biomaterials, cell and molecular biology, and genetics. This project will involve students developing new materials that stiffen with time to mimic the remodeling that occurs with heart disease. Participants will also use cutting edge genetic tools to create and use patient-derived stem cells to create heart cells. Patients with specific mutations will be studied within the biomaterial to determine what effects the stiffened environment has on mutant and wild-type cells.

Prashant Mali, PhD (Faculty Profile, Lab Website)

Students will work on one of two projects:

(a) Gene Therapy: We engineer molecular reagents to enable precise edits in the genome or transcriptome of cells bearing disease causing mutations. We aim to test these in cells and eventually in mice. Researchers will learn and use techniques including cell culture, molecular biology, and synthetic biology.

(b) Cell Therapy: We develop and use a vascularized bioprinting platform to create tissues ex vivo. We aim to build functional and mature tissue constructs by incorporating constituent cells generated by differentiating pluripotent stem cells and by systematic evaluation of biomaterials, media, and the local cellular microenvironment. Researchers will learn and use techniques including cell culture, tissue engineering, and synthetic biology.

Andrew McCulloch, PhD (Faculty Profile, Lab Website)

The research focus of the Cardiac Mechanics Research Group is the mechanics and electrical dynamics of the normal and diseased heart from molecular to organ scales. We use computational modeling and integrated experiments to investigate excitation-contraction coupling and the role of mechanoelectric feedback in action potential propagation. The in-silico modeling includes signal transduction pathways involved in calcium cycling and hypertrophy. The research intern will use experimental and computational models to investigate the relationships between the cellular and extracellular structure of cardiac muscle and the electrical and mechanical function of the heart during ventricular remodeling and cardiac arrhythmia.  

Robert Sah, MD, ScD (Faculty Profile, Lab Website)

The Cartilage Tissue Engineering lab studies the dynamics of cartilage, bones, and joints that lead to their function, failure, and restoration. We conduct experiments and develop computational models to determine how mechanical factors cause joint deterioration after knee injury and in osteoarthritis. We study the repair of damaged cartilage with osteochondral (allo)grafts that are generally effective for repairing large areas of damaged cartilage but limited by donor availability. Students will conduct experiments involving (1) imaging and biomechanics to determine the structural basis of cartilage function and failure, or (2) tissue engineering and bioreactors to create more effective off-the-shelf osteochondral implants to resurface damaged joints.

Daniela Valdez-Jasso, PhD (Faculty Profile, Lab Website)

We focus on soft-tissue biomechanics and multi-scale mathematical modeling of organ and tissue function, particularly as they pertain to understanding the adaptations of the heart, vessels, and lungs to pulmonary hypertension (PH). We incorporate key experimental findings into mechanistic mathematical models to evaluate quantitative computational formulations of organ and tissue function. The student will investigate the dynamic vascular remodeling process in PH at the tissue level, and use the results to evaluate effects at the system level.

Yingxiao Wang, PhD (Faculty Profile, Lab Website)

The student will work on the development of genetically-encoded molecule biosensors based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and the application of these biosensors for the visualization and quantification of molecular signals in live cells with high spatiotemporal resolution under physical/mechanical environment. The results will integrate the cutting-edge technologies in molecular engineering, live cell imaging, and nanotechnology for the engineering of machinery molecules to reprogram cellular functions

Sameer Shah, PhD (Faculty Profile, Lab Website)

Professor Shah is an expert in the function, dysfunction and plasticity of the nervous and muscular systems.  His research priorities are to enhance surgical decision making and the development of physical therapy protocols by understanding relationships between the ultrastructure of peripheral nerves and their mechanical and physiological function.  He develops tissue engineering and biomedical device-based strategies for peripheral nerve regeneration.